TRENTON — Nine members of Governor Jon Corzine’s Administration blanketed New Jersey in a ‘Cabinet Call to Action’ to promote NJ FamilyCare, the state and federally subsidized health insurance program for children and working families on Thursday, October 1. This statewide awareness and outreach effort is ensure that more families sign their children up for this important program.

“Families cannot build a strong economic future for their children without stable, secure and affordable health insurance and that is why Departments throughout my Administration have made NJ FamilyCare a top priority,” Governor Corzine said. “We will continue to work to ensure every child in our state gets the health insurance they need and deserve.”

Cabinet members and the New Jersey Hospital Association came together at the Lord Stirling Elementary School in New Brunswick at 2 p.m. to announce an increase in the number of children enrolled in the NJ FamilyCare program as well as an award that will reinforce New Jersey’s position as a national leader in advancing health care for all children.

“The new Administration in Washington has been exceptionally supportive of our outreach efforts with NJ FamilyCare,” said DHS Commissioner Jennifer Velez. “Our success in enrollment means healthier children and one less worry for many working families.”

The ‘Cabinet Call to Action’ is part of a multi-departmental outreach campaign. Commissioners and other administrators visited hospitals, pre-schools, schools, federally qualified health centers, non-profit agencies, one-stop career centers, and community centers to meet with parents directly impacted by NJ FamilyCare, organization leaders, and encourage community-based enrollment.

In July 2008, Governor Corzine signed landmark legislation that required all children under the age of 19 to be insured through private or public plans.

NJ FamilyCare is administered by the state Department of Human Services as a free or low-cost program for income-eligible families. It covers children in families earning up to 350 percent of the Federal Poverty Level (about $77,000 for a family of four) and parents earning up to 200 percent of FPL (about $44,000 for a family of four).

NJ FamilyCare ADVANTAGE is a ‘buy-in’ program for families earning more than 350 percent FPL. The maximum monthly premium is $411 for a family with three or more children.